The great value of mangrove ecosystem is widely recognized, but mangrove forests are exploited quite rapidly by human activities. Habitat degradation and fragmentation of mangrove forests are of global conceren, but we do not know how genetic diversity of mangroves are influenced. This is mainly because the distribution range of mangrove species are generally very wide and over many different countries. To assess current genetic diversity of mangrove species, international cooperation is necessary.
In this exchange program, we will invite young ASEAN researchers who concerns conservation of genetic diversity of mangroves in Asia and will form a network of researchers that can act for future conservation of mangroves. This exchange program is supported by Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme promoted by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Graduate School of Science, Chiba University will host the exchange program. As a part of the exchange program, an International Workshop for Conservation Genetics of Mangroves will be held in Iriomote Island which will be co-organized with the Iriomote Station of the Tropical Biosphere Research Center, the University of the Ryukyus, and International Society for Mangrove Ecosystem (ISME).
The program is held in order to
About 10 young researchers are expected to be invited from ASEAN countries in February 2010.
We expect to publish the result of the preliminary assessment together as a main contribution of the exchange program.
and other institutes of ASEAN countries and India and Australia.
(The list will be updated soon.)
All invited researchers are expected
Invited researchers should be recommended by an Oversea Partner Institution to Chiba University for this project.